Pair of top-ranked teams prep for playoffs

Fox Valley area's undefeated Xavier, Freedom to meet in QB Challenge

GREEN BAY – Two undefeated and top-ranked prep teams from the Fox Valley area are headed to the Division 3 playoffs but will test their skills first in the QB Challenge at halftime of the Packers-Chargers game on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Xavier and Freedom are both 8-0 this season and on top of their respective conferences. Xavier, which moved to the Bay Conference in 2015, can wrap up the league title with one more win on Friday, while Freedom has already clinched a second straight Northeastern Conference crown.

The two schools used to be conference rivals before Xavier’s move, and Freedom won a close battle in 2014 by a score of 22-18.

This year, they could meet somewhere along the road in the Division 3 playoffs, as Xavier is ranked No. 2 and Freedom No. 4 in the Wissports.net coaches poll.

For the Challenge, Xavier will bring QB Zach Simons along with receivers Sam Burkart and Noah Severin. Simons has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 14 TDs this season, with Burkart catching seven of those TD passes.

Freedom will feature QB Charles Jadin plus receivers Avery Van Stralen and Seth Doxtater. Jadin has passed for more than 1,250 yards and 14 TDs this season, with Van Stralen leading the receivers with six TD grabs.